Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on September 24, 2012, at 19:53:17
My current regimen is:
Lexapro 20 mg
lithium 300 mg
Tramadol 25-50 mg
Seroquel 25 mg
Valium 5 mg as a prn (very infrequently)I've been struggling over the past 3-4 weeks with hypomania (I think), especially after I take Tramadol. I'm either too chatty/speedy and "up," or experiencing a mood dip. I'm also experiencing anxiety, insomnia and obsessiveness. My doctor added Seroquel recently. It doesn't help me sleep; it just makes me feel heavy and fuzzy. And hungry. Most APs do this to me, and I haven't had much benefit from a lot of the stabilizers I've tried.
I had issues with benzo abuse in the past, but I'm past that, and currently only take Valium as needed. I used to take Klonopin daily, but the dose wasn't properly monitored.
My pdoc wants me to up my lithium dose, and thinks once my mood and anxiety is better again, the insomnia will subsequently resolve. I tend to agree, though I need to speak to him about the symptoms I've been having that seem to be hypomanic.
I'd like to propose the following to my pdoc:
Lexapro 20 mg
lithium 450 mg
Klonopin x mg?
Tramadol 25 mg (maybe just as a prn if and when my mood is low)I'll make a point to have him know we can closely monitor my Klonopin use, and if necessary, he could prescribe it weekly instead of monthly to prevent abuse.
Any thoughts about this all? Thanks in advance.
-b
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 24, 2012, at 22:36:51
In reply to Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer, posted by brynb on September 24, 2012, at 19:53:17
Is clonazepam an effective mood stabaliser, or is it just a tranquiliser?
Could I suggest before going down the benzo path, given your history, that you try dropping the Seroquel and adding risperidone 1mg at bedtime.
I found that at this dose, tension, anxiety, intrusive thoughts and fits of dispair quickly disapeared, and the only side effect was mild drowsiness for about 3 days.
There are many other mood stabaliser options out there that would be safer for you than a benzo.
Posted by phillipa on September 24, 2012, at 23:43:38
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 24, 2012, at 22:36:51
Was originally designed to be a seizure med Phillipa
Posted by phidippus on September 26, 2012, at 14:20:38
In reply to Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer, posted by brynb on September 24, 2012, at 19:53:17
Raise your Lithium to treat the hypomania.
Don't add another medication. Klonopin is not a mood stabilizer.
OR take 300 mg of Seroquel. It'll be more activating at that dose and you won't feel heavy and fuzzy. That'll crush the hypomania.
Eric
Posted by gadchik on September 27, 2012, at 12:29:58
In reply to Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer, posted by brynb on September 24, 2012, at 19:53:17
I take .5mg klonopin brand daily. That's all I take now,and it works perfectly as a mild mood stabilizer,antianxiety,and, for me, antidepressant. Good luck to you.
Posted by phillipa on September 27, 2012, at 20:22:55
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer, posted by gadchik on September 27, 2012, at 12:29:58
Hi Gadchik sounds like things are still going well for you. P
Posted by gadchik on September 28, 2012, at 8:51:08
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer » gadchik, posted by phillipa on September 27, 2012, at 20:22:55
thanks for the reply,P. Yes, as long as I just take the klonopin, dont try to taper,and dont add other meds, that's when I feel the best.I hope you are well. Arent you from NC? I wonder if youve heard of Oak Island? My husband has been offerd use of an oceanfront beach house there for 2 months,if he remodels a bathroom.I absolutely love the ocean,but Ive never heard of Oak Island.
Posted by phillipa on September 28, 2012, at 20:45:15
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer » phillipa, posted by gadchik on September 28, 2012, at 8:51:08
No I haven't I will google to see if helps. Will you go with him? Then you can experience living at the beach off season. P
Posted by phillipa on September 28, 2012, at 20:49:24
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer » phillipa, posted by gadchik on September 28, 2012, at 8:51:08
I googles near Wilmington know where that is. Wilmington is large. Lots of stuff there. P
Posted by gadchik on September 29, 2012, at 12:33:23
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer » gadchik, posted by phillipa on September 28, 2012, at 20:49:24
its near Southport too, and I love that little town. Yes, I would be going! And my little dog too!
Posted by phillipa on September 29, 2012, at 20:54:34
In reply to Re: Klonopin as a Mood Stabilzer » phillipa, posted by gadchik on September 29, 2012, at 12:33:23
I think you will enjoy it there as a lot more to do a college town also. P
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